2010 eBook Readers: Guy Gear

Despite decades of tech advancement, really only in the last two years has society received its first peek at the death of the printed book. However, if you thought 2009 was a hot year for eBook readers, think again. Below you’ll find a collection of readers that are scheduled for release in 2010, and the fierce competition they’re up against from models recently updated in late 2009.

As their specs illustrate, there are still many questions to sort out regarding standards for both eBook reader hardware and their companion eBook content. Will eBook readers themselves be large or small, in color or black-and-white, use e-ink or LCD screens, support proprietary file types or open source? Though we may not have the answers yet, rest assured that the maneuvering seen in these models is only the first skirmish of an epic battle that will continue to rage between the world’s major electronics manufacturers and partnering booksellers.

Also, we know that the iPhone as an eBook reader is quickly gaining ground, but given the fact that being a reader isn't its primary purpose, we've left it off our list.

2010 eBook readers: Guy Gear

Amazon Kindle DX

Riding the coattails of the original Kindle and its smaller brother, the Kindle 2, the release of the Kindle DX marked an important step in Amazon’s strategy for world e-reader domination. With a bigger screen, measuring 9.7 inches diagonally (about the same size as a standard sheet of paper), the eBook reader is clearly aimed to win over the hearts of more than just casual novel readers. Its native PDF support, iPhone-like rotating screen orientation and 4GB of onboard storage make it admirably suited to be the device of the future for magazine, newspaper and textbook readers as well. Free connection to Sprint’s Whispernet 3G network allows owners to purchase titles from Amazon anywhere there’s a connection. Of course, these benefits come at a price. The DX eBook retails for nearly $200 more than the cost of the Kindle 2. That said, you should justify buying the DX based on your reading consumption habits. Also, remember that the Kindle line is only capable of displaying eBooks created in Amazon’s proprietary AZW file format — so be prepared to embrace being an Amazon customer for the life of the device. Retail price: $489

Sony Daily Reader

Not one to be left standing flat-footed, in a move similar to Amazon with the aforementioned Kindle DX, Sony has announced that a new, larger device called the Sony Daily Reader will be added to its e-reader line just in time for the December holidays. Outside of its large 7-inch diagonal screen, the Daily’s most significant hardware upgrade over its companions is built-in free wireless access over AT&T’s 3G network. It also ditches buttons in favor of an intuitive touchscreen interface like that of the Sony Reader Touch edition. Though some may see the addition of the 3G wireless connection and large screen as a simple copycat maneuver, what’s important is the variety of content Sony promises to make available through it. Instead of relying solely on profit-maximizing proprietary file formats, the Daily Reader will support a variety of text file types including Adobe PDF, ePUB, MS Word, BBe, and others. This will give owners access to content not only within Sony’s eBook store, but also to thousands of free ePUB titles being made available through Google and other sources. Snowballing off this strategy, Sony has also announced the launch of its Library Finder application. By searching one’s zip code, eBook titles owned by local libraries can then be digitally “checked out” on the device, for a period of 21 days. At the end of that period, titles simply “expire,” avoiding late fees and hassle. Needless to say, it’s a surprising strategy coming from one of the most prolific creators of proprietary formats (like MiniDisc, Betamax, Blu-ray), but it has the potential to position Sony near the top of the 2010 eook heap. Retail price: $399

Barnes and Noble Plastic Logic E-Reader

Though the final details of the Plastic Logic E-Reader are still unclear, several things are for certain. For instance, it’s already been announced that Barnes and Noble will be its exclusive retailer, both for the device and in terms of access to book titles. On the hardware front, the plastic logic will rival the Kindle DX in screen size, with its 8.5-inch x 11-inch flexible e-ink display. It will also be thinner, with a minuscule width of 0.27 inches, making it almost in proportion to a large notepad. All interactions with the device will occur via gesture-based touchscreen. However, like the Sony Daily Reader, ePub is the primary file type it will support, along with a variety of other file extensions including PDF, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and HTML. This means the Plastic Logic will benefit from Google’s free ePub books online. Combined with over 700,000 online titles available through Barnes and Noble’s e-store, this reader will provide access to over a million more titles than Amazon. Unfortunately though, just because the device will share the ePub file extension with Sony does not mean users can purchase titles from Sony’s store, or vice versa. However, B&N titles will be readable across a host of other devices including the iPhone, BlackBerry smartphones and PCs. Getting titles on the device will occur either though the e-reader’s built-in Wi-Fi, or wirelessly over AT&T’s 3G network. Based on its massive library and unique hardware, the Plastic Logic may just be the strongest dark horse contender to overtake Amazon. Retail price: TBA

Samsung SNE-50K (formerly known as the Papyrus)

Not all eBooks have to be one-trick ponies, or at least that’s Samsung’s take on the matter. Having already been released in Europe and Japan, the SNE-50k combines handwriting recognition and PDA-like applications including a memo pad, calendar, world clock, and calculator, with basic e-reader functionality. Similar to the Plastic Logic and Sony Daily Reader, it also opts for complete touchscreen control via included stylus or finger in lieu of physical buttons. Size-wise, based on its 5-inch screen and feathery 6.5-ounce weight, Samsung appears to support the notion of compact eBooks focused on portability. However, with only 512MB of onboard memory and no slots available for expansion, the amount of content the SNE-50k can hold is limited. In terms of purchasing content, Samsung has currently inked a deal with South Korea's Kyobo Bookstore Company, although U.S. partners have yet to be named. More details about its American release are rumored to surface later this year. Retail price: Roughly $270

Fujitsu FLEPia

Another eBook that has already been released overseas, the FLEPia stands out from other models in two ways. One major difference is its 8-inch, 260,000 color e-paper display, said to be the first of its kind. The other the $1,000 you’ll have to pay to own it. Considering its feature set includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connectivity, SD memory slot capable of holding 4GB of storage, stereo speakers, and a Windows CE 5 operating system, it’s probably more accurate to classify the FLEPia as a low-powered computer rather than stand-alone eBook reader. For instance, unlike the competition, the FLEPia has full support for e-mail, spreadsheets and web browsing, giving it a wider appeal for business-oriented professionals. eBook content can currently be bought for the device through the online bookstore Papyless, and formats supported include the popular .xmdf and .book eBook file extensions in Japan. Fujitsu also sat on the fence in terms of controls, combining a touch-sensitive screen and physical buttons for navigation. Overall the FLEPia’s colorful display and computer-like functionality make it an interesting hybrid in the marketplace. However, its steep price may limit the unit’s expansion and popularity. No word yet on when the FLEPia may become available in the States. Retail price: Roughly $1000

Bookeen Cybook Opus

Recently released in June, the Cybook Opus is a pocket-size eBook reader that claims to be the lightest one currently in existence, weighing in at 5.3 ounces. Featuring a 5-inch screen and designed for one-hand operation, the Opus appears to follow Samsung’s route of portability being a primary goal. A built-in accelerometer allows the display to work in both portrait and landscape mode, while 1GB of onboard memory should provide enough storage for casual readers to carry enough content with them during the day. The device’s file extension of choice is ePub, but PDFs, HTML and image formats are also supported. Users seeking to purchase content can do so through booksonboard.com via computer, whose titles can then be transferred to the Opus via USB. Overall, the Cybook Opus’s portability and support of ePub make it an appealing option to those seeking alternatives to the Kindle. At a price of $280, it competes as one of the more affordable eBook readers on the market today, and looks to be a good entry-level device for curious buyers testing the eBook waters. Retail price: $280